This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Low Voltage Live Testing Training

Hello all,

I am looking for advice on behalf of my work on what training is available for low voltage testing on live products.

For context of what is likely needed:

We usually build and test offshore electronic products which are low volume output, so the technicians (including myself) are electronic instrument technicians by trade. At times however we build and test goods with voltages of 110V AC, 230V AC or 370V DC for example. As we are manufacturing these, they often need set-up or fault found on which will require working on them live. We try and take all the necessary precautions while doing so, but the one main issue we have is technicians asking for further training.

When we have talked to electricians on what training they do, the answer has been they don’t work live.

Can anyone tell me of any courses that would give everyone a better understanding of the requirements to working live in a manufacturing background? Ideally if anyone comes for a manufacturing company and can detail any external training your test technicians have done would be preferred.

My work would obviously like training that would satisfy any HSE guidelines, however in this instance I would prefer training that is not about ticking boxes, but making the people doing the job be and feel safer.

Any recommendations or advice?

Parents

0 Former Community Member over 8 years ago
Hi Barry,

I Think I understand your issue a bit better now. This is a difficult one for you because you are asking technicians to work outside thier scope of knowledge and experience. I would suggest that for testing/working on hazardous voltages that these tasks are better suited to more qualified electrically trained technicians. I'm not sure if an electrical awareness training course would be deemed suitable. You still need to decide on the risks involved and if the people completing the task have the competency required (as you said). Would an electrical awareness course provide the required knowledge for your task and reduce that risk to an acceptable level?

In the matter of competence, competency is task related, therefore the expected task(s) needs to be understood before a person could be considered competent to complete it. However, it takes a measure of Attitude, Skills, Knowledge and Qualification. Question yourself in each of these areas what you deem would be suitable to reduce any risk introduced by the task to an acceptable level.

For example, I would consider an electrical technician to have a professional attitude, prepared to Listen, prepared to know when to stop and ask for help. Skills wise, I would expect them to be electrically trained. Knowledge, could be as simple as where to go and seek information and seek advice. Qualification would be Minimum Level 2/3 City& Guilds Electrical / NVQ2/3 and Preferred 17^th Edition. These would be my thoughts on acceptable attributes for generic electrical tasks, to supplement this further for a specific task they may need more i.e.

The Information about the task and work to be done

Clear Instructions

Appropriate level of supervision (where needed)

Technical support if required and knowledge of how to get it (this applies at all levels i.e. from access to standards to technical information and support to technicians when needed)

Authorisations and limitations of work are made clear (enablement)

Experience in the role

Required Training and updating skills and knowledge on a regular basis.- maintaining knowledge

So to summarise, I would try determine the risk incurred by your task and what level of Attitude, Skills, Knowledge and Qualification you need to reduce the risk (would electrical awareness be sufficient? Answering these questions would give you the required training. Then focus on the task itself. Have you sufficient information on what is required, have you given clear instructions and scope (document this), do they have appropriate supervision and technical support should they need to ask for help, Have you made clear what they can and cannot do (work dead as much as possible, put additional controls in place when live testing has to take place, use approved equipment etc.). Arrange regular refresher training sessions (ass required) and audit their work.

Document your assessment and requirements. If you explain it all afterwards to your manager it will help him understand the effort and thought you have put behind making sure you all work in a safe environment and that work is completed in a safe and efficient manner.

Regards, Gareth.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Reply

0 Former Community Member over 8 years ago
Hi Barry,

I Think I understand your issue a bit better now. This is a difficult one for you because you are asking technicians to work outside thier scope of knowledge and experience. I would suggest that for testing/working on hazardous voltages that these tasks are better suited to more qualified electrically trained technicians. I'm not sure if an electrical awareness training course would be deemed suitable. You still need to decide on the risks involved and if the people completing the task have the competency required (as you said). Would an electrical awareness course provide the required knowledge for your task and reduce that risk to an acceptable level?

In the matter of competence, competency is task related, therefore the expected task(s) needs to be understood before a person could be considered competent to complete it. However, it takes a measure of Attitude, Skills, Knowledge and Qualification. Question yourself in each of these areas what you deem would be suitable to reduce any risk introduced by the task to an acceptable level.

For example, I would consider an electrical technician to have a professional attitude, prepared to Listen, prepared to know when to stop and ask for help. Skills wise, I would expect them to be electrically trained. Knowledge, could be as simple as where to go and seek information and seek advice. Qualification would be Minimum Level 2/3 City& Guilds Electrical / NVQ2/3 and Preferred 17^th Edition. These would be my thoughts on acceptable attributes for generic electrical tasks, to supplement this further for a specific task they may need more i.e.

The Information about the task and work to be done

Clear Instructions

Appropriate level of supervision (where needed)

Technical support if required and knowledge of how to get it (this applies at all levels i.e. from access to standards to technical information and support to technicians when needed)

Authorisations and limitations of work are made clear (enablement)

Experience in the role

Required Training and updating skills and knowledge on a regular basis.- maintaining knowledge

So to summarise, I would try determine the risk incurred by your task and what level of Attitude, Skills, Knowledge and Qualification you need to reduce the risk (would electrical awareness be sufficient? Answering these questions would give you the required training. Then focus on the task itself. Have you sufficient information on what is required, have you given clear instructions and scope (document this), do they have appropriate supervision and technical support should they need to ask for help, Have you made clear what they can and cannot do (work dead as much as possible, put additional controls in place when live testing has to take place, use approved equipment etc.). Arrange regular refresher training sessions (ass required) and audit their work.

Document your assessment and requirements. If you explain it all afterwards to your manager it will help him understand the effort and thought you have put behind making sure you all work in a safe environment and that work is completed in a safe and efficient manner.

Regards, Gareth.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Children

No Data

Low Voltage Live Testing Training

Community Rules & Guidelines